Combined switch and plug receptacle



May 8. 1928. 1,669,120

F. c. DE REAMER COMBINEDSWITCH AND PLUG REGEIPTACLE Filed May 8. 1923.

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Patented May 8, 192 8. 7

o v 1,669,120 PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK C. DE REAMEB, F BRIDGEPORT, CON NECTICUIT, ASSIGNOR TOv GENERAL. ELBO- TBIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK. i

COMBINED SWITCH AND PLUG- REGEPTACLE Application filed May 8; 1923. Serial 1T0. 637,576.

The present invention relates to electric circuit connectors and more especially to combined switches and plug receptacles whereby portable electrically driven apparatus, such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners and the like apparatus, may be connected in circuit through flexible leads.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved combined switch and plug receptable which shall be strong and durable and of low cost of manufacture.

One embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a combined switch and plug receptacle; Fig. 2 is a top plan; Fig. 3 is a bottom plan with parts broken away; Fig. 4 is a perspective view thereof with attachment plug and a fragment of the enclosing casing, and Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the plug.

The base 1 is an oval-shaped block of porcelain or other insulating material having in the front face thereof a circular recess 2 and a deeper semicircular recess 3, and in the rear face a relatively large shallow chamber 4 with two recesses 5 and 6 extending toward the bottom of the circular recess 3 and separated by a wall 7 while at the opposite end of the chamber i a rectangular aperture 8 extends through to the bottom of the semicircular recess 3 and an internally threaded eyelet 9 is secured in an aperture 10 in'the wall between the bottom of the circular recess 2 and the bottom of the base. i

symmetrically disposed in the circular or plug receiving recess 2 are two contact fingers 11 and 12 which extend through the bottom wall thereof into the respective rear recesses 5 and 6 where they .are provided with angular feet 13 and 14. The finger 11 is secured in place by a screw 15 passing through its foot 13 and engaging a nut 16 set in a countersunk aperture 17. This screw serves as a binding screw for attachment of one of the motor lead wires of the portable apparatus. The finger 12 is similarly secured in place by a screw 18 engaging a nut 19 and electrically connecting the foot 14 thereof with a link 20 in electrical communi cation with one of the switch contacts.

The switch mechanism 21 is located in the semicircular recess 3 and comprises a sheet metal guide frame 22 provided with threaded lugs 23 for connection with anchor screws 24: extending through the bottom wall of the recesspThe sides of the guide frame 22 are provided with transverse. pivots 25 on whicha u -shaped pole piece 26 is fulcrumed and between the sides of the frame a reciprocating actuating bar 27 is guided and is connected to the pole piece by a helical spring 28 surrounding a guide pin 29 having a head f'ulcrumed on the bar 27 and a toe projecting through an aperture in the cross piece of the pole piece. The outer end of the actuating bar isbent over at right angles and has a handle 30 secured thereto through insulating washers 31. The arrangement of parts ofthe switch is such that when the handle is in outermost position as indicated in Fig; 1 the spring fulcrum will be disposed outside the pole piece fulcrum 25 and the pole piece forced into closed position and when the handle is forced inwardly the pole piece moves in open position. The switch contacts 32 are composed of reversely bent phosphor bronze springs disposed on oposite sides of the rectangular aperture 8 and secured to the edges thereof by screws 33, one of which engages a nut 3st at the end of the connecting link 20 and the other a plate 35 carrying a binding screw 86 for the second motor conductor lead.

The base is provided in the wall about the rear recess 5 with a notch 37 through which the motor leads pass to the binding screws 15 and 36.

The rear side of the base and the parts located in the recesses thereof are enclosed by a slab of sheet insulation 38 seated within a peripheral rabbet 39 therein. A supporting yoke 40 is bent to lie close against the slab 38 and the ends of the base and to provide outwardy turned end lugs 41 which are drilled and tapped for screws 42 by which the device may be secured to the rear of the enclosing housing L3. The bridge is secured to the base by screw a4: passing through the middle thereof and the slab 38 and engaging the eyelet 9.

The attachment plug 45 on account'of its carryingthe normally live contacts is so i 51 for the reception of the outer ends of the contacts 49 and connected to the cap by two screws 51 and its outer Wall is made cylindrical and adapted to enter the circular recess 2 in the base and allow engagement of the contact fingers 11 and 12 with the spring contacts 19 carried thereby.

When the combined switch and plug receptacle are installed and in use on awashing machine, etc, it is nearly concealed by theenclosing casing 43, only the switch button projecting outside and the circular recess 2, the only other exposed portion, has continuous side and end walls and the contacts 11 and 12 are always dead while exposed. The construction and arrangement of the switch is such that in case of a person or thing accidentally falling against it, it operates to open the electric circuit and stop the mechanism. In case one runs against the flexible feed conductor for the machine, the plug 45 is merely pulled from the contacts 11 and 12 and the circuit opened with no exposure of live parts.

86 While I have shown and described the best embodiment of the invention known to me, I do not desire to be restricted thereto.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,

A combined switch and plug receptacl comprising an insulating base having in the front side a cylindrical recess and a semi cylindrical recess and in the rear side a chamber connected by a mortise with the semicylindrical recess plug contacts symmetrically mounted in said cylindrical recess and having feet located in said chamber, a reciprocating switch mounted in said semicylindrical recess and having its contacts disposed on opposite siees of said mortise, a conductor link disposed in said chamher and connecting the foot of one contact finger with one of the switch contacts, and a binding post on the foot of the second contact finger and a binding post in said chamber connected to the second switch contact.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of May, 1923.

FRANK C. DE REAMER. 

